In the midst of daily routine, safety may not always be at the forefront of your mind. It can be easy to overlook potentially dangerous materials in your workplace environment, but doing so poses a great threat to workers’ well-being. Although OSHA and local fire codes define clear storage requirements for flammables, too many workplaces don’t comply with these rules. Need proof? It only takes a quick Internet search to find examples of safety violations or even accidents resulting from improper storage of flammable liquids or other hazardous materials.

Spills of flammable liquids are not cleaned up promptly (including spills inside a safety storage cabinet).

And finally, one of the greatest hazards is not storing flammable materials in the correct containers or storage cabinets. For example, a flammable liquid material should be stored in a safety can that is OSHA or National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) approved and has a spring-closing lid/spout cover and flame arrestors. Multiple containers of flammables should be stored in flammable storage safety cabinets that meet OSHA requirements and are clearly labeled “Flammable – Keep Fire Away.”

[sc:date]Flammable chemicals create a whole new set of potential hazards in the workplace. If they aren’t properly stored and maintained, something as small as a single spark could ignite the chemicals to create a massive explosion. Earlier this year, an explosion at the West Fertilizer Company plant in West, Texas killed over a dozen workers and first responders while leaving many others injured. This is why it’s important for companies to properly store their flammable chemicals. Here, we’re going to walk you through the do’s and don’ts of storing flammable chemicals.

Know Your Chemical Storage Cabinets

Companies should store their flammable chemicals in professional-grade, flame-resistant cabinets. In the event of a nearby fire or explosion, the chemicals will remain safely locked inside where rather than fueling the fire. With that said, not all cabinets are made the same. The bottom line is that you need to familiarize yourself with the different types of chemical storage cabinets to ensure you choose the one that’s best suited for y0ur particular needs.

So, what are the different types of chemical storage cabinets? While there are dozens of different kinds, ranging in size, shape, shelving, features and more, nearly all of them are broken down into one of two different categories: steel and high-density polyethylene. Steel storage cabinets offer an exceptional level of strength and durability, while being able to withstand the heat from most fires. The thick, premium-grade steel construction acts as a natural barrier to keep flames away from flammable chemicals. However, there are some flammable chemicals that will burn right through steel. If you’re looking to store chemicals such as this in your workplace, you’ll want to stick with high-density polyethylene cabinets.

Identify Ignition Sources

After placing your flammable chemicals inside the appropriate cabinets, you should perform an inspection of your workplace to identify possible ignition sources. Many businesses and companies perform their day-to-day operations unknowing of this information, making them susceptible to fires and explosions. While each workplace is unique, here’s a short list of some of the most common ignition sources:

Still-burning cigarette butts

Sparks from saws, drills and other machines

Faulty electrical wiring

Open flames and burners

Furnace embers

Steam pipes

Space heaters

Hot plates

Hot bearings

Welding sparks

Portable torches

By identifying possible ignition sources in the workplace, you can make smarter decisions on where to store your flammable chemicals.